The agility thread

[Spotherisk]

We had another amazing session this evening at training, where for the first time ever Rew shot out of a tunnel and then actually did a full six weaves without coming out or going in late or coming out early etc etc. and we did a blind cross, bit messy but OMG my head is hurting and it was amazing!

 

[Ditchjumper2]

Lovely day so nipped out to field to do some homework. Bless her!

 

[blackcob]

Mixed feelings this week but mostly positive. Large dog had her first 'proper' training day - new venue, new trainer (to her - I've trained with her before and she always has me feeling ten feet tall by the time we're done), unfamiliar dogs, buckets of environmental stress. Once she's in the ring she doesn't give a fig about anything else, there were barking lunging dogs up against the railings and a dog running in the adjacent ring, no problem. Smashed the actual work. She definitely can't stay out between runs though and the management to and from the car has me all unnecessarily stressed out.

 

[MurphysMinder]

Lots more positive than negative there , onwards and upwards .

 

[blackcob]

Quote from Sam “you could pretend you like her a bit more.”

 

[Spotherisk]

At a show at the mo, had two jumping rounds

First round dog was on it, we were not E but had faults, he drove on, made one mistake in the weaves, it was (for us!) an excellent round.

Second round dog had never seen equipment before, made his own choices about which end to enter tunnels and missed out the first jump on straight lines. Oh and barked at the dog next door which was going through a tunnel. I’m not sure we took a single obstacle correctly! it was carnage (tbh we weren’t the only ones in that ring to have a chaotic run, I don’t think there were any clears, and about 70% E).

Just agility to go in about three hours time zzz

 

[blackcob]

I could get used to this teaching lark. One of my group has sent me a video from a show this weekend and they've so clearly put into place some of the things we've been discussing and working on over the last few weeks. They and others could see the difference too and they seem really pleased with the progress. Doing wonders for my imposter syndrome

Small dog's first champ dates are on the calendar.

 

[MurphysMinder]

I could get used to this teaching lark. One of my group has sent me a video from a show this weekend and they've so clearly put into place some of the things we've been discussing and working on over the last few weeks. They and others could see the difference too and they seem really pleased with the progress. Doing wonders for my imposter syndrome

Small dog's first champ dates are on the calendar.

When can I book you ?

 

[Ditchjumper2]

Long day for 2 classes. We have had issues with contact equipment and her shutting down so tried a different approach today. I tried to be ultra casual and not get het up and competitive I didn't carry her in like I usually do but I bent over crippling my back and led her in. I also didn't make her wait but tried razzing her up. She went much better, flew the A Frame was sticky on dog walk and we ended up clear no time penalties so was really happy. We were an unplaced 3rd. Lengthy wait until the jumping and I tried same approach. Flew number 1 then stopped and went weird. I realised I had pulled collar too much and it was over 1 ear! She was not impressed! I pulled it back down and off we went. The judge obviously didn't see me touch her as we were given clear with just time penalties. Really happy with that as she ran so well so I pulled out of last class and came home. Won't do next week's show either and will back off a bit.

 

[Spotherisk]

Our final class of the (long) day was agility and we were of course eliminated.

I shouldn’t have changed my mind on the start! It was jump, dog walk, left jump to wrap to jump on the right. The dog walk had the A frame next to it, on the right. My brain said start on the left, then he will gravitate to me, will do the dog walk and the left jump. But I changed my mind, started on the right, and yeah he gravitated right and went up the A frame. Eliminated after the first jump.

Further to earlier post the large jumping G1-2 caused a fuss as the E was about 80% with seven completing and 25 eliminated. Only one clear round and that was a slow and steady type. Large jumping C1-2 was 50% E (well loved local trainer and judge) and the large agility 1-2 was 75% E, with only one going through in G1 and that was with a lot of time penalties.

It’s a bit demoralising to do so badly all the time, but I can see improvement, especially with new trainers helping me loads.

 

[Ditchjumper2]

@Spotherisk we all get demoralised. If it makes you feel better I cried in the cafe before my rounds! I feel such a rubbish handler and that it's me making Pebs be like she is because she is so sensitive. I think the more we progress the more we pressure ourselves even sub consciously. We all want to go up the grades and it's not easy to handle.

I have changed my mind over ways I intended to run and regretted it, equally have not changed my mind on watching others run a different and better way and then wish I had! We all do our best though xx

 

[Spotherisk]

Better day today! Note to self - read Agility Plaza notes, not just the schedule, as the start was brought forward 30 minutes and therefore I didn’t walk my first jumping course!

But, we were not eliminated in any of our three runs today, that is a first for us, and only the third time I’ve not been E in agility, where today we only missed one contact and nailed our weaves (slowly, but correct).

Absolutely chuffed!

Oh, and gained points in the Winter league

 

[MurphysMinder]

Ziggy had his worst ever day today , 4 runs 4 Es . As my trainer put it “he worked really hard just not necessarily on the same course as you “! On the plus side he got all his contacts in the agility runs .

 

[blackcob]

Why is it they always get their contacts when it's already gone to pot?!

We had a win in senior agility, however less said about the jumping round the better.

 

[sarah.oxford]

Arthur had a win in novice steeplechase. Removed him from the ring in agility after having to put him back on the start after breaking his wait, and then failing to stop on the end of the dog walk. .
Lyl was fastest in her height in casual steeplechase but they only give clear round rosettes for that.

 

[Ditchjumper2]

Not competed as still giving Pebs a break. In training she is flying again. Youngster has has had 3 agility lessons so far and so far so good. She has her first measure next week and hopefully will measure as small and Pebs will compete again. Fingers crossed all round

 

[ihatework]

Busy weekend for people!
I’m just about to head off for Lokis first go, just a casual steeplechase. He’s not done anything away from club night so be interesting if everyone disappears out the window or not

 

[BallyRoanBaubles]

Posting here as me and my lab are starting a beginners agility class tomorrow for 6 weeks

We have done bits of agility before and he will do tunnels, jumps, a frame. Just doing the course for a bit of fun really alongside our usual gundogging

 

[Jenko109]

We did a small competition yesterday with our local club. Only three dogs in our section though.

We have not trained in three weeks due to our holiday in Wales and weather constraints, but she ran well and came away with two firsts.

I was really pleased with her for running so nicely after a little break.

Off to Elf next week.

 

[ihatework]

Had such a (long) fun day for both of our first show. Wasn’t quite sure what to expect but A4A was very relaxed and accommodating - so much so I changed from casual to nursery & beginners steeplechase.

Nursery we got E at the dog walk as he was freaked out by the tunnel under the up ramp and wouldn’t go over it but they let us carry on and he jumped everything else clear.

Then jumped clear in the SC to come 2nd! (Whispers out of 4 in his category …).
Just needs to do a bit less pogo and more forwards drive now

https://www.facebook.com/723446722/posts/10159695822951723

 

[Spotherisk]

Yay @ihatework well done!!!

 

[MurphysMinder]

Fabulous , congratulations. The A4A shows are great for young dogs . And not so young, my 12 year old had so much fun jumping at select height last year .

 

[Ditchjumper2]

Have any of you been to the Agility Nuts show in Lincs please? If so what is it like? I may be in that area in April and wondered whether to go or not as somewhere different.

 

[BallyRoanBaubles]

First agility class tonight Zazu loved it, we did 3 jumps in a row, a wrap around, a tunnel and the start of a dog walk

 

[sarah.oxford]

Well done. We were at Cheltenham Saturday and inspire on Sunday

 

[Jenko109]

Today we went to a show.

Jumping she screamed basically the whole way round, got eliminated at the final fence as she took it the wrong direction. She went so freaking fast that I have no idea how I kept up with her or maintained control up until that point.

Agility had 15 faults so not eliminated, but silly mistakes that she would not normally make as she was so wired.

Steeplechase just five faults caused by my handling not setting her up quite right.

She thought the whole event was absolutely hilarious.

 

[Clodagh]

I went and watched @Spotherisk today. What Rew lacks in precision he makes up for with enthusiasm. . I’ll let her do her report but it was great fun.

@Jenko109 it sounds like your dog enjoys herself!

 

[Spotherisk]

My dog doesn’t like the rain and I’m aware (now!) that he hasn’t been out enough in all this wet weather… so today he had the zoomies, and generally was not listening, so 2 x E. never mind!

@Clodagh was passing the venue so popped in say hello, Rew was very pleased to see her and showed off what he considered to be his best moves! Never mind!

 

[Spotherisk]

Oh cross post @Clodagh !

Thank you for hanging onto coats and videoing, my friend was made up to Grade 3 with a win in agility today, so delighted to have it recorded for posterity.

 

[blackcob]

I am deep in 2x2 hell. Send help.